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The Time for Zero-Emission Technology Is Now

Transit managers around the world are beginning to realize the necessity for implementing zero emission technology in their fleets. Are you one of them? Hydrogen fuel cells, in particular, have a clear and demonstrated value for public transport operators.

However, the uncertainty around the transition from diesel-powered to zero emission buses can stand in the way of many operators' clean energy goals. Like any major policy shift, the switch can feel intimidating.

Implementing Zero-Emission Technology

Although fuel cell technology has been around for years, transit operators can still feel like implementation costs are an obstacle to fully embracing the technology.

Those costs, however, are now lower than they have ever been. Fuel cell costs have decreased by 50 percent in the last ten years. Here are some other trends that will also influence cost reduction:

Hydrogen fuel cell technology is being used by more and more transit agencies. As a result the production runs to manufacture this technology are longer and this scale reduces cost per unit.

Fuel cell electric buses are benefitting from the reduced cost of the mature electric powertrain.

The price of a long-life bus battery is expected to lower by 40% in the next 3 years.

The cost of hydrogen storage is also expected to reduce by 40% by 2020.

As an additional incentive, many transit operators can rely on public funding. The European Union offers such incentives, and has already funded a number of Fuel Cell Bus projects across Europe.

This is good news for regions like Scandinavia, who have committed to a swift and significant reduction in fossil fuel use over the next few decades.

As local mandates concerning emissions become more common, the need to switch to fuel cell electric buses will only increase. Transit operators who make the switch now obtain these benefits:

Adopting hydrogen technology now places your transit company ahead of the herd, making you a trailblazer in your industry.

You will have a proven solution that puts you on track to meet your zero-emission targets, without compromising on bus performance, range, or service.

Your company will become an inspiration to others who want to improve air quality and health in their own communities.

As agencies around the world consider zero emission options, they will look to your company as an example to follow.

Find and Follow a Success Model

Take a look at these municipalities, who are already running zero emission fleets:

“The technology for fuel cell electric buses is pretty solid and agencies should not be afraid of it. The manufacturers have also clearly demonstrated the technology is viable and commercially applicable.”

Long Term Outlook for Zero Emission Technology

As time goes on, the costs and consequences of continuing to use fossil fuel vehicles will rise. At the same time, zero emission hydrogen fuel cells will become more widespread.

However, the cost of waiting to implement this technology can be significant.

Transit operators who make the switch now can avoid air quality issues and their associated health costs. Traffic congestion and the need for road repairs also decrease after implementation.

“Certainly there are the costs of the systems and buses, but there are funding opportunities to help offset them. The more miles we put on the fuel cell buses, the more data we have to evaluate on technology reliance and performance. This information helps validate our commitment to zero emission and, in turn, supports the funding requests we submit.”

Another important benefit is that disadvantaged communities in urban areas will benefit from a clean transit solution. They will have more access to jobs, education, and health care, with no additional pollution being released into their communities.

Conclusion

For transit operators, now is the best time to act. Find out which funding sources are available for your particular agency. Get in touch with other transit operators who have already deployed zero emission buses, and learn from how they did it.

Finally, realize that the costs of not acting now are higher than those of making the switch.

Don't miss your chance to be an inspiration to people around the world!

Discover why hydrogen fuel cell buses are the best zero-emission solution for Scandinavia's public transit.

Learn more about Ballard's fuel cell-powered buses in demonstration globally in this free white paper.

Alf Robertson

Good article and we are right behind the technology but continuing to carry out due diligence before making any final decisions. Our interest is in making and distributing the fuel for local use and in and around Aberdeen there is increasing commitment to H2 vehicles. However, my concern comes on the back of Whistler and BC failing to continue with their fleet and your article is conspicuous by its lack of any mention of this. In articles I have read they quote high fuel costs (no wonder since they shipped it in from Quebec by road) hidden carbon content (no wonder since it was made by reforming of methane) high maintenance costs for the vehicles and cold weather issues due to water in the fuel. Technology has moved on certainly but it would be useful to have a full analysis by Ballard of the Whistler experiment - we all learn much more from our failures than success and there is no shame in less than complete success especially in the early days of development.

Catharine Reid

Hello Alf - thanks for your comments. The Whistler fuel cell bus fleet completed its planned 5-year demonstration period in late 2013. The operation of that fleet offered important lessons that have been incorporated into the development of Ballard's current generation of heavy duty power modules. In 2014, NREL published comprehensive reports evaluating the BC Transit Fuel Cell Bus Project in Whistler. You can find those at https://www.nrel.gov/hydrogen/fuel-cell-bus-evaluation.html

Alf Robertson

So Catherine thanks for coming back to me. I'll work through the NREL documents to get out of those what we can that will assist in building our model.

Edward Naclerio

are there any school bus fleets or shuttle bus fleets (airport, resorts,etc) doing testing of fuel cell vehicles

Catharine Reid

Hello Edward - based on what we're seeing in the marketplace, transit operators have been the first to adopt fuel cell buses, in large part due to the government funding available to support these deployments. Commercial bus fleets and school buses are great medium-term opportunities as bus costs decrease.

Alf Robertson

Hi Edward - look at what California are doing. See this link: https://cafcp.org/